Md. House Votes to Repeal Steep-Slope Mining Ban

By R.H. MeltonBy R.H. MeltonMarch 24, 1985

Legislators from Baltimore and eastern Maryland counties joined their colleagues from the coal-rich western part of the state today and voted to repeal a ban on steep-slope coal mining, despite Gov. Harry Hughes' threat to veto the legislation.

Robertson, who along with other House leaders was free to differ with Speaker Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Baltimore) on the issue because it is not part of the leadership's legislative package, voted against the repeal.

Ultimately, so did Cardin, who waited until the last seconds of voting to register his red "no" vote on the House's electronic tally board.

Finan, one of the most respected junior members of the House, fended off several critics of the repeal, saying that lifting the prohibition would have no effect on the streams and waterways in his region of the state.